Key takeaways:
- Donald Trump has entered a plea of not guilty to 13 felony counts related to an alleged scheme to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia.
- Trump waived his right to be present at his arraignment and to have it read to him in open court.
- The case is still in its early stages and it is unclear how it will proceed.
Former President Donald Trump has entered a plea of not guilty to 13 felony counts related to an alleged scheme to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia.
In a court filing Thursday, Trump said he had discussed the charges in the indictment with his attorney and fully understood the nature of the offenses charged and his right to appear at arraignment. He also waived his right to be present at his arraignment and to have it read to him in open court.
Brian Tevis, an Atlanta attorney who represents Trump’s former lawyer Rudy Giuliani, said that most defendants given the option to waive arraignment do so. Trump’s lawyers submitted the plea in writing and notified the court that he will not appear in person for the scheduled arraignment next week, which is allowed under Georgia law.
The Georgia criminal case accuses Trump of racketeering and conspiracy in connection with the effort to overturn the 2020 election. Trump is the first president in U.S. history to face criminal charges after leaving office.
The case is still in its early stages and it is unclear how it will proceed. Trump’s lawyers have argued that the charges should be dismissed, but the judge has yet to rule on the motion. It is also unclear whether Trump will be required to appear in court at a later date.
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